Singaporean authorities summoned top executives from ten companies operating in Indonesia on October 28, 2026, over transboundary haze pollution linked to forest and land fires.
Singapore Summons Ten Palm Oil Executives Over Haze Pollution
The high-level meeting at The Treasury in Singapore took place on Wednesday (28/10/2026). Wakil Perdana Menteri Gan Kim Yong led the discussions alongside Menteri Senior K Shanmugam and Menteri Keberlanjutan dan Lingkungan Hidup Grace Fu, with backing from senior legal advisor Davinder Singh, the Attorney-General’s Chambers, the National Environment Agency (NEA), and the Ministry of Law.
Corporate representatives attending the summons included leadership from Bumitama Agri, First Resources, Golden Agri-Resources, Indofood Agri Resources, Kencana Agri, TSH Resources, Wilmar International, and Sinar Mas Group. Franky Oesman Widjaja, Chairman and CEO of Golden Agri-Resources, attended both for his own firm and to represent Asia Pulp & Paper Company alongside Asia Pulp & Paper Company (China).
Parliamentary Amendments to Target Non-Cooperative Firms
Following the meeting, Grace Fu announced that the Singaporean government plans to table amendments to the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act during the next parliamentary session. The legislative changes aim to give legal teeth to ongoing investigations, making it a criminal offense for firms to refuse the appointment of independent examiners or fail to cooperate fully with inquiries.
I will introduce amendments to the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act at the next parliamentary sitting to give this framework legal force. Companies that fail to comply will be committing an offense. We will use our powers to protect the health of Singaporeans,
Fu told reporters on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
Minister K Shanmugam, who also heads the Ministerial Committee on Domestic Security, emphasized that the investigations are not intended to locate scapegoats. Haze is caused by fires. Fires are caused by irresponsible business practices. This is not a natural phenomenon,
Shanmugam told corporate representatives during the briefing.
Did You Know? The meetings in Singapore took place amid a broader diplomatic friction point between Indonesia and Singapore, which included Indonesia trimming its pipeline natural gas exports to Singapore by 31 billion British thermal units per day starting October 24, 2026, as reported by Aktual.com.
Independent Audits and Corporate Response
Under the regulatory framework detailed by Shanmugam, summoned companies must undergo comprehensive independent assessments covering their operational activities, corporate structures, and supply chains. These evaluations will be conducted by independent investigative firms and legal advisors assigned under NEA direction, with the audited corporations bearing all associated costs.
Both Asia Pulp & Paper and Golden Agri Resources released separate statements following the discussions confirming their willingness to cooperate with Singaporean regulatory authorities.
Companies attending the Singapore summons and planned legislative changes
Which companies attended the summons in Singapore?
The corporate representatives included executives from Bumitama Agri, First Resources, Golden Agri-Resources, Indofood Agri Resources, Kencana Agri, TSH Resources, Wilmar International, Sinar Mas Group, and Asia Pulp & Paper Company.
What legal changes are Singaporean authorities planning?
Grace Fu announced plans to amend the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act during the next parliamentary session to establish statutory penalties for companies that refuse independent audits or fail to cooperate with investigations.
Who represented the Singaporean government during the meetings?
The meetings involved Wakil Perdana Menteri Gan Kim Yong, Menteri Senior K Shanmugam, Menteri Keberlanjutan dan Lingkungan Hidup Grace Fu, senior legal advisor Davinder Singh, and officials from the Attorney-General’s Chambers, the National Environment Agency, and the Ministry of Law.
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